Two local rescue dogs were cast as Bruiser and Rufus in the production. Jagger Minnie, a nine-month-old Chihuahua will play Bruiser, Elle Woods’ fashionista sidekick. Before being cast as Bruiser, Jagger’s claim to fame was being a littermate to Tiny Beyoncé, who made her worldwide media debut last spring as the world’s tiniest puppy. Jagger was born under the watchful eye of The Grace Foundation in El Dorado Hills, which rescued his mother from an over-crowded shelter.

Kiki King, a three-year-old Frenglish Bulldog, will play Rufus, Paulette’s beloved bulldog. Kiki was rescued by NorCal Bulldog Rescue in Folsom as a stray. She was adopted by Ann King, dog trainer at The Local Bark. Kiki is deaf, and must watch for hand signals instead of using verbal cues.

“Deafness in dogs usually doesn’t present much of an obstacle in their learning,” King said. “But combine the deafness with the fact that Kiki’s a bulldog? That’s a little more challenging.” Her performing independently will depend on the actors getting eye contact and Kiki knowing they have treats.

These dogs and their hard-working trainers will show the community that rescue dogs with questionable backgrounds not only make great pets, but like Elle Woods can surprise us.

“Legally Blonde” follows sorority star Elle Woods, who doesn’t take no for an answer. So when her boyfriend dumps her for someone “serious,” Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style.

El Dorado Musical Theatre’s “Legally Blonde” is rated PG-13. Performances are at Three Stages at Folsom Lake College, Feb. 15 through March 3. Tickets are $18-36. Purchase them online at threestages.net or by calling the Three Stages box office at (916) 608-6888. Group discounts are available by calling EDMT at (916) 941-SING. For more information visit edmt.info